On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, NEA Report reported that significant documents related to the felony arrest of Judge-elect Doug Brimhall have been released, following public records requests. The files detail events surrounding Brimhall’s arrest in May 2024, though many details remain redacted due to the involvement of minors.
Brimhall, a Jonesboro native, had a promising career in law. He graduated from Jonesboro High School in 2002 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas in 2006, followed by a Juris Doctor in 2009. He founded the Brimhall Law Firm in 2010 and later served as a deputy prosecuting attorney. In March 2024, he won a special election for circuit judge in District 2, Division 4, defeating Curtis Walker Jr. by a vote of 12,731 to 11,391.
However, his career was abruptly interrupted by an incident on May 3, 2024. According to the probable cause affidavit, Brimhall returned home from the Jonesboro Country Club in an intoxicated state and entered his home. Witness accounts describe him as “drunk drunk,” and he reportedly entered his daughter’s room, where a confrontation ensued. The juvenile victim alleged that Brimhall lay beside her in bed, attempted to wake her, and then verbally abused her, including calling her derogatory names and pouring water on her.
The situation escalated when Brimhall’s current wife, Brittany, entered the room after hearing the commotion. Following a series of events, the family left the house but returned to find Brimhall outside, still wearing only his underwear. A physical altercation occurred between Brimhall and the juvenile victim, during which she alleged that he choked her and pushed her to the ground. The incident report noted that the victim had visible injuries, including bruising and redness around her neck. Brittany intervened, instructing Brimhall to stop and go inside.
After the incident, the juvenile victim sought refuge with Lark Montgomery, Brimhall’s ex-wife, who reported the events to the police the following day. Montgomery indicated that Brimhall had instructed her not to contact authorities regarding the incident. When Montgomery took the victim to Brimhall’s parents to report the incident, they reportedly dismissed the severity of the situation, attributing it to alcohol.
As the investigation progressed, law enforcement recognized the gravity of the case. On May 6, Prosecutor Sonia F. Hagood requested the appointment of special counsel to ensure an impartial investigation due to Brimhall’s connections within the legal community. Special Judge Robert Edwards was assigned to oversee the case, with Special Prosecutor Robbie Jones representing the state.
Brimhall resigned from his role as deputy prosecuting attorney on May 7, with Hagood expressing relief at his resignation in a letter dated October 4. The same day, police interviewed Brittany Brimhall, who provided her perspective on the incident. During the interview, she mentioned her belief that the juvenile victim had mental health issues and described the altercation as typical familial roughhousing. She denied witnessing any choking, characterizing Brimhall’s actions as attempts to de-escalate the situation.
In a subsequent interview on May 7, the juvenile victim described her embarrassment at having to show her injuries. She recounted the events leading up to the altercation, including her father’s drunken behavior and the physical aggression that followed. The victim stated that her father had poured water on her and verbally abused her before the situation escalated.
On May 13, Brimhall provided his account of the events to investigators, claiming he was attempting to wake his daughter and that their interactions were typical of their relationship. He admitted to pouring water on her but insisted that he did not intend to harm her. Brimhall maintained that the physical altercation was a result of their usual playful wrestling, denying that he choked her.
On May 20, authorities filed for an arrest warrant against Brimhall, charging him with aggravated assault on a family or household member, a Class D felony, and third-degree battery, a Class A misdemeanor. Judge Edwards granted him a release on his own recognizance but imposed a no-contact order with the juvenile victim and prohibited him from using drugs or alcohol.
Source: NEA Report
